Jonny Bairstow admits there is no substitute for international cricket as he looks to get his game in shape for England’s World Cup defence.
Bairstow looked in fine touch as he hit an unbeaten 86 from 60 balls to lay the platform for an emphatic 95-run win over New Zealand in the second Vitality International T20 clash at Old Trafford on Friday.
The World Cup begins in India in just over a month’s time and, having played only four matches in the Hundred since the Ashes ended in July prior to this series, Bairstow is pleased to be back in action.
“I just wanted to play, to be quite honest with you,” said the 33-year-old. “I wanted to be back out playing white-ball cricket because I think that the natural rhythms of the games, whether it’s T20 or 50-over cricket, is something that, especially when you’re playing internationally, is something that’s very hard to replicate.
“You can play the Hundred, you can play for Yorkshire, but the different bowlers, the pressures, the crowds, the pitches – everything that comes with playing international cricket – is very difficult to replicate.
“So I was very keen to play these T20s leading into the ODIs and then, naturally, leading into the World Cup in a few weeks’ time.”
Bairstow combined in a thrilling 131-run partnership with Yorkshire team-mate Harry Brook from just 65 balls.
Brook, who was controversially omitted from England’s provisional World Cup squad, hit five sixes in a blistering 36-ball 67.
Debutant Gus Atkinson then took an impressive four for 20 as New Zealand slumped to 103 all out in reply.
They now head to Edgbaston for the third encounter of the four-match series on Sunday with a 2-0 lead after an equally-comfortable win in Durham on Wednesday.
The sides will also play four one-day internationals this month and Bairstow expects the Kiwis – coincidentally England’s first World Cup opponents in Ahmedabad on October 5 – to bite back.
“They’re a blooming good team, New Zealand,” Bairstow said. “They’ve been an exceptional team for a long period of time and we know how dangerous they can be.
“We can’t take for granted how good these two performances have been. We’ve also got to look at how good they actually are as well, but we’ve played some exceptional cricket these last two games.
“And if we can keep doing that – and keep doing that over a longer period of time – then that can only be a good thing.
“It builds confidence, it builds an environment within the dressing room that enhances people’s performances when they go out in the middle.
“They feel like they can hit the ball for six, they feel like they can take a wicket each ball. They feel confident enough to take a risk.”
New Zealand seamer Adam Milne accepts his team need to pick themselves up for the games to come.
He said: “I think we’ll have to just regroup, but we like to keep things pretty calm in our changing room – not get too high, not too low.
“I think we’ll have a bit of a review of the game and just try and find those little bits of improvements in our games and hopefully come out at Edgbaston and throw some shots from our end.”
Trinbago Knight Riders triumph in thriller over Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL clash
The Trinbago Knight Riders pulled off a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday night in a pulsating Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) encounter at Queen's Park Oval. A pair of back-to-back sixes from Tim David at the start of the final over sealed the win for the Knight Riders, capping off a match that was filled with drama and shifts in momentum.
The match began with a touch of sentimentality as Knight Riders' captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and elected to field first. Before the action got underway, the team gave Dwayne Bravo a touching guard of honor, recognizing what could be the veteran all-rounder's final game at the iconic venue following his earlier announcement of retirement from the CPL. However, once play began, the Knight Riders showed no mercy, reducing the Warriors to 76-7 with a disciplined bowling performance.
Romario Shepherd, however, staged a crucial lower-order fightback for the Warriors. Shepherd's gritty half-century helped his team recover from their precarious position, steering them to a competitive total of 148-7. His innings injected life back into the contest and set the stage for a tense chase under the lights at Queen's Park Oval.
The Knight Riders' response was anything but straightforward. Struggling to find the boundary during the middle overs, they found themselves precariously placed at 89/5. With the game hanging in the balance, the 17th over proved to be the turning point. Andre Russell, who was named Player of the Match, took charge by smashing three sixes off Nathan Sowter's bowling. This onslaught not only revived the Knight Riders' chase but also shifted the momentum firmly in their favor, reducing the required runs to a manageable figure.
Speaking after the game, Russell revealed his mindset during the tense chase. "The mindset was that I know I can hit sixes and that Tim David is a six-hitter as well. I told him that we had 24 balls, and we had to hit eight sixes," Russell said.
The final over began with Tim David on strike, and he wasted no time in sealing the victory. With consecutive sixes, David secured the five-wicket win for the Knight Riders, sending the home crowd into raptures and ensuring a fairytale finish was still possible for Dwayne Bravo in this year's CPL.
An emotional Russell paid tribute to his teammate Bravo after the match. "Who I am today has a lot to do with him. I am just happy to be part of this game. That's why it was an emotional celebration; he deserved that win... I think he'll shed a tear tonight. This one is for DJ Bravo," he said, highlighting the bond between the two cricketing stalwarts.
The match was a high-class affair, played with intensity and sportsmanship as both teams fought to secure a spot in the latter stages of the competition. With this victory, the Knight Riders move up to eight points from five games, positioning themselves well for a deep run in the tournament. For the Warriors, the loss was a setback, but their spirited performance ensured they remain in contention as the competition progresses.
As the CPL season heats up, the Knight Riders' victory has added to the excitement, and with Bravo's retirement storyline still in play, the 2024 CPL promises more drama and memorable moments in the matches to come.
Afghanistan claim South Africa scalp as Farooqi and Ghazanfar share seven wickets
Afghanistan took another giant step in ODI cricket after crushing South Africa in a six-wicket victory with 24 overs to spare on Wednesday.
Fazalhaq Farooqi led the way with figures of 4-35, ably supported by Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar's 3-20 and Rashid Khan taking 2-30, as Jonathan Trott's side bowled South Africa out for just 106 in Sharjah.
Wiaan Mulder offered some brief resistance with 52, though only three other Proteas batters managed double figures, and that underwhelming total left Afghanistan with a routine chase.
Though Bjorn Fortuin impressed with an economical 2-22, Azmatullah Omarzai's unbeaten 25 and Gulbadin Naib finishing 34 not out helped Afghanistan to their first-ever win over South Africa with ease.
Data Debrief: ODI world takes note
This victory marked a maiden win for Afghanistan over South Africa and their third-biggest victory in terms of balls to spare against a Test-playing nation.
It comes as no surprise, though, as Afghanistan have beaten England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia in white-ball internationals in the last 11 months.
A transformative period under coach Trott has been underpinned by star Khan, though it was team-mates Farooqi and Ghazanfar who impressed here.
Indeed, Ghazanfar bowled 47 dot balls from his 10-over spell, removing Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne and Jason Smith, while Farooqi provided a dominant opening up top against a poor Proteas.
Windies legend Brian Lara fancies TKR's chances to lift fifth CPL title
West Indies legend Brian Lara believes Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) can justify favouritism in this year's Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament provided the team’s pedigree and cohesiveness stand out among their rivals.
Lara’s views came during the launch of his book on Tuesday and ahead of the Trinbago Knight Riders’ almighty clash with reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Queen's Park Oval on Wednesday.
While noting that the Twin Island Republic’s franchise boasts a deep squad of high-quality players, which makes them favourites, Lara pointed out that it is their performances that will account for whether or not they take home the title this season.
“I think obviously TKR will stand up as favourites every time,” Lara declared.
“When you look at the quality of players in the team, you would think they should go on to win. But again, in the past, we've seen the team that plays better win. It's not how many superstars you have,” he added.
With three wins and one loss so far this campaign, Trinbago Knight Riders currently sit fourth on six points, four points behind leaders Barbados Royals, who have played two games more. St Lucia Kings on eight points and Guyana Amazon Warriors on six points occupy the other playoff positions.
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (four points) and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (two points) are fifth and sixth, respectively.
Being the only franchise to win the tournament four times—2015 as Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, 2017, 2018, and 2020—Lara is of no doubt that Trinbago Knight Riders can add to their tally.
However, he stressed that it will take more than just talk and quality on paper.
“What we're hoping for with TKR is that togetherness. Individuals may win you a match, but teams win tournaments,” Lara reasoned.
“I'm hoping captain Kieron Pollard will keep the guys together; they work hard, be humble, and get the victory that's necessary,” he noted.
With both the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors showing some degree of consistency so far this season, Wednesday’s clash is expected to be a humdinger to kickstart the former’s home leg of fixtures.
England all-rounder Chris Jordan will bolster the Knight Riders bowling attack as he replaces the injured American Ali Khan.
But the Amazon Warriors have also strengthened their bowling attack with the inclusion of Australian leg spinner Nathan Sowter, who temporarily replaces captain Imran Tahir, recovering from an injury.
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